Parish News

Following on from the recent Parish Conversations on the five topics: Growing as Christians, Evangelism, Service to the Community, Children & Young People and Worship, Peter has produced a paper summarising what he thought were themes coming prominently out of each conversation and sometimes across more than one. He then offers some of his own thoughts in response and a suggestion as to the next step in putting together the new Mission Action Plan for the Parish. You can find his paper here. A draft copy of the Mission Action Plan (MAP) is now available here.

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The Annual Vestry Meeting (for the Election of Churchwardens) and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (for election of PCC and Deanery Synod members as well as a report on the church for 2016 including finances) took place at the end of April. A copy of the Annual Report is available here and of the Annual Accounts to 31st December 2016 available here.

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In February 2017 we were allocated a £2000 grant by the ABBOTS LANGLEY PARISH COUNCILtowards the maintenance of the churchyard. This goes towards the upkeep of the mowers and equipment and to pay one person a number of hours throughout the year to try to keep on top of some of the growing season. Most of the work in the churchyard is done by a small group of volunteers who are always happy to welcome others to join them. They usually meet on the first Saturday of each month and, depending on the time of year, they mow, strim, weed, sweep leaves, clear litter, have bonfires, etc, all the usual things you would expect to do in your garden throughout the year - albeit probably on a larger scale! If you would like to join this team please just turn up between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm (coffee break at 11.00) - the remaining dates for 2017 are: 1st April, 6th May, 3rd June, 8th July, 5th August, 2nd September, 7th October, 4th November, 2nd December - or make contact to find out more.

In March 2017, Three Rivers District Council awarded the PCC a capital grant of £2,000 towards the replacement of two mowers used in the churchyard. The old tractor mower was 16 years old and beyond economic repair, and last year two of the self-propelled mowers had also become unusable. We are very grateful for their help.

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'Living God's Love' in Abbots Langley. 'Living God's Love' is a journey. It's an invitation to discover new things about God, ourselves and the world; to look with fresh eyes and explore new ways. It's an inviation to journey together as God's people. Bishop Alan is inviting us to

* journey deeper into God, in prayer, worship and commitment;

* go into partnership to bring transformation to communities, local and global;

* walk alongside others on their journeys as we seek to make new disciples.

During 2017, we will be looking at our Parish MAP, with a view to updating/renewing it, following a series of Parish Conversations. These Conversations took place during February and centred on: Discipleship, Evangelism, Service to the Community, Children and Young People, and Worship. A draft copy of the MAP is now available here.

You can also click here to go to the designated Living God's Love diocesan website.

From 2016 to 2020, we are encouraged to look at four strands of the Living God's Love prayer - generosity and joy; imagination and courage - in our parishes and in our own lives; how can we live our lives and work within the church with generosity, joy, imagination and courage?

Do you enjoy crafts but need the incentive to get on with them?! Well come along to the Breakspear Room any Friday afternoon between 2.00 and 4.00 pm and join with others while having a chat and a cuppa! Any craft - sewing, knitting, patchwork, lace making, embroidery, painting, etc - all are welcome. If you are looking for something to do and can knit, we are knitting bonnets and vests for the children of Malawi ...